Disposal system and method for disposable items

ABSTRACT

A disposal system and method for disposing a disposable item, the disposal system comprising an envelope, a disposal bag disposed within the envelope, the disposal bag comprising an opening sized to receive the disposable item when soiled, an opening mechanism for opening the envelope and a fastener for fastening the envelope to the disposable item. The system is adaptable to several different applications including disposal of surgical kits, among others.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to disposable items. The present invention more specifically relates to a system and method of disposal of disposable items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In certain situations or applications, disposable items have been developed in order to avoid having to clean a particular item after it has been soiled. These disposable items include, among others, diapers, surgical masks, gowns, hair nets, shoe covers, coveralls, blankets, towels, pads, garments, undergarments, absorbent articles, medical dressings and gloves.

The disposable items, although practical, must nevertheless be handled after use and be placed in a disposal container.

Various solutions for disposal of disposable items have been proposed in the prior art.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,096 discloses a diaper assembly with an integral disposal system, including an envelope integrally carried on the outside of the diaper and that has a mouth for receiving the diaper once soiled.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,162 discloses a disposable sanitary napkin including an integral reversible bag affixed to one pad face such that the pad may be reversed to contain the used pad for eventual disposal thereof.

U.S. 2005/0256487 discloses a disposable absorbent article with an integral disposal bag attached thereto. The disposal bag is disposed within a pouch on the absorbent article and is accessible to a user through an opening in the moisture barrier layer. A flap can seal the opening in the barrier layer.

Other documents known to the Applicant include: U.S. Pat. No. 3,024,788 (LANE); U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,674 (SCHAAR); U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,096 (DEAN et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,162 (BINKER et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,859 (FELDMAN); U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,505 (BARRETT); U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,549 B1 (PETERS, Jr.); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,151 B2 (BROCKMAN).

The prior art systems known to the Applicant appear to disclose various forms of disposal bags that are integrated or integral to the disposable item. The prior art systems do not appear to propose a disposal system separate from the disposable item and which can be applied to several different applications.

Consequently, there is still a need for a system and method for disposal of disposable items that is adaptable to several different applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to propose a system and method that satisfies at least one of the above-mentioned needs.

According to the present invention, that object is accomplished with a disposal system for disposing a disposable item, the disposal system comprising:

-   -   an envelope;     -   a disposal bag disposed within the envelope, the disposal bag         comprising an opening sized to receive the disposable item when         soiled;     -   an opening mechanism for opening the envelope; and     -   a fastener for fastening the envelope to the disposable item.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a method of disposing a disposable item, comprising the steps of:

-   -   a) providing a disposal system for disposing the disposable         item, said disposal system comprising:         -   an envelope;         -   a disposal bag disposed within the envelope, the disposal             bag comprising an opening sized to receive the disposable             item when soiled;         -   an opening mechanism for opening the envelope; and         -   a fastener for fastening the envelope to the disposable             item;     -   b) fastening, using the fastener, the envelope to the disposable         item;     -   c) opening the envelope with the opening mechanism once the         disposable item is soiled;     -   d) deploying and opening the disposal bag from the envelope;     -   e) inserting the soiled disposable item into the disposal bag;         and     -   f) closing the disposal bag.

The system according to the present invention can be applied to several different applications, including disposal of surgical disposable items, including masks, gloves, hair nets, coveralls or shoe covers. However, the same system can also be applied to other types of disposable items that are soiled. The system and method according to the present invention can be used in the disposal of disposable articles in hospital, medical clinics, for disposal of several types of items.

A non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be given with reference to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, fastened on a surgical mask; and

FIGS. 3A to 3H are perspective views of a use of the system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, on a surgical mask for disposal of said surgical mask, a hair net and shoe covers.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system 10 for disposal of disposable items 20 is disclosed. The system 10 includes an envelope 12, as well as a disposal bag 14 disposed within the envelope 12. The disposal bag 14 has an opening sized to receive the disposable item 20 when soiled. The system also comprises an opening mechanism 16 for opening the envelope 12. The envelope 12 containing the disposal bag 14 is affixed to the disposable item 20 with a fastener 18.

Preferably, the fastener 18 is selected from the group comprising hook and loop fasteners, removable adhesive, adhesives, adhesive strips, staples, thermal bonding agents, zippers, and stitches.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening mechanism is a tear cord according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Preferably, to facilitate opening of the envelope, the envelope may comprise a frangible area that is openable by the opening mechanism 16.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the envelope comprises a transparent plastic side and an opaque foil side.

The disposal system according to the present invention can be used with a variety of disposable items, including diapers, surgical masks, gowns, hair nets, shoe covers, coveralls, blankets, towels, pads, garments, undergarments, absorbent articles, medical dressings and gloves.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3H, the present invention also provides a method for disposing disposable items comprising the steps of:

-   -   a) providing a disposable system as described above;     -   b) fastening, using the fastener, the envelope to the disposable         item (FIG. 3A shows the disposal system 10 installed on a         surgical mask 20);     -   c) opening the envelope with the opening mechanism once the         disposable item is soiled;     -   d) deploying and opening the disposal bag from the envelope, as         shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D;     -   e) inserting said soiled disposable item into the disposal bag,         as shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F;     -   f) closing the disposal bag, as shown in FIGS. 3G and 3H.

FIGS. 3A to 3H illustrate a sequence of steps showing an application of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a surgical mask on which the disposal system 10 has been attached. In FIG. 3B, the disposal bag is deployed from the envelope. The disposal bag 14 is extended from the mask. In FIG. 3D, the mask is removed from the face of the user. In FIG. 3E, the shoe cover is also removed from the user. In FIG. 3F, the shoe cover and mask are placed within the disposal bag. In FIGS. 3G and 3H, the disposal bag is closed firmly in order to contain the soiled disposable items.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3H, the disposal system according to the present invention can be used for disposal of several items at the same time during a surgical operation for example, wherein the disposal bag can be used not only to dispose of the surgical mask where it was initially installed but also include any other surgical accessories that have been soiled, including hair nets, shoe covers, gloves or even coveralls if the disposal bas is designed to accommodate all of these different items.

The modularity of the disposal system makes it a product that can be applied to a variety of different applications including not only the surgical items mentioned above, but also diapers, gowns, blankets, towels, pads, garments, undergarments, absorbent articles, medical dressings and gloves.

Preferably the disposal bag is made of a biodegradable plastic or any other degradable material. The envelope to be affixed to the disposal item may be placed on an exterior portion of the disposable item or somewhere within the disposable item. When placed inside the disposable item, the disposal bag can be removed in a manner similar to tissues being removed from a tissue box.

The disposal bag can then be easily used for disposal of the soiled disposable item and contain any unpleasant odours emitting therefrom. The disposable bag itself, for certain applications, may be scented with a natural product or be unscented.

In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the envelope and disposal bag can be made of paper or various types of plastic materials, or, alternately, aluminium paper, hemp, polyester, various types of tissues or any other similar materials.

Preferably, closing of the disposal bag can be simply accomplished by forming a knot at the opening of the bag, or by providing ties, staples, adhesive strips, buttons or resealable zipper closures known in the art, or any other equivalent closure system.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 

1.-18. (canceled)
 19. A disposal system for disposing a plurality of different types of disposable items, said disposal system comprising: a separable envelope; a disposal bag disposed within said envelope, said disposal bag comprising an opening sized to receive a selected disposable item when soiled; an opening mechanism for opening the envelope; and a fastener for fastening the envelope to the selected disposable item.
 20. The disposal system according to claim 19, wherein the fastener is selected from the group comprising hook and loop fasteners, removable adhesive, adhesives, adhesive strips, staples, thermal bonding agents, zippers, and stitches.
 21. The disposal system according to claim 19, wherein the opening mechanism is a tear cord.
 22. The disposal system according to claim 19, wherein the envelope comprises a frangible area that is openable by the opening mechanism.
 23. The disposal system according to claim 19, wherein the envelope comprises a transparent side and an opaque side.
 24. The disposal system according to claim 19, wherein the opening mechanism is a zipper.
 25. The disposal system according to claim 19, wherein the disposable item is selected from the group comprising diapers, surgical masks, gowns, hair nets, shoe covers, coveralls, blankets, towels, pads, garments, undergarments, absorbent articles, medical dressings and gloves.
 26. The disposal system according to claim 19, wherein the disposable item is selected from the group comprising surgical masks, gowns, hair nets, shoe covers, coveralls and gloves.
 27. The disposal system according to claim 19, wherein the disposal bag is sized to receive a plurality of disposable items, said plurality of disposable items being selected from the group comprising surgical masks, gowns, hair nets, shoe covers, coveralls and gloves.
 28. A method of disposing a disposable item selected from a plurality of different types of disposable items, comprising the steps of: a) providing a disposal system for disposing the selected disposable item, said disposal system comprising: a separable envelope, a disposal bag disposed within said envelope, said disposal bag comprising an opening sized to receive said selected disposable item when soiled, an opening mechanism for opening the envelope, and a fastener for fastening the envelope to the selected disposable item; b) fastening, using the fastener, the envelope to the selected disposable item; c) opening the envelope with the opening mechanism once the selected disposable item is soiled; d) deploying and opening the disposal bag from said envelope; e) inserting said soiled selected disposable item into the disposal bag; and f) closing the disposal bag.
 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the fastener is selected from the group comprising hook and loop fasteners, removable adhesive, adhesives, adhesive strips, staples, thermal bonding agents, zippers, and stitches.
 30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the opening mechanism is a tear cord.
 31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the envelope comprises a frangible area that is openable by the opening mechanism.
 32. The method according to claim 28, wherein the envelope comprises a transparent side and an opaque side.
 33. The method according to claim 28, wherein the opening mechanism is a zipper.
 34. The method according to claim 28, wherein the disposable item is selected from the group comprising diapers, surgical masks, gowns, hair nets, shoe covers, coveralls, blankets, towels, pads, garments, undergarments, absorbent articles, medical dressings and gloves.
 35. The method according to claim 28, wherein the disposable item is selected from the group comprising surgical masks, gowns, hair nets, shoe covers, coveralls and gloves.
 36. The method according to claim 28, wherein the disposal bag is sized to receive a plurality of disposable items, said plurality of disposable items being selected from the group comprising surgical masks, gowns, hair nets, shoe covers, coveralls and gloves. 